# SOLAR UV DAMAGE IN HUMAN CELLS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 1987 · $156,670

## Abstract

Environmental solar ultraviolet (UV) and visible radiations are
toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic, however, little is known about
the underlying molecular processes that cause these effects in
human cells, especially in the longer wavelength regions.  Our
research has shown that these long-wavelength radiations induce a
variety of DNA damages in mammalian cells in culture, such as
DNA-to-protein crosslinks and DNA double- and single-strand
backbone breaks, as well as the more completely studied DNA
bipyrimidine photoproducts.  Our spectral studies have shown that
these DNA crosslinks and breaks are produced by different
mechanisms depending upon the wavelength of the radiation used.
Isolated ultraviolet A (320 nm to visible light) and visible
radiations induce these DNA changes largely via indirect
mechanisms involving nonDNA photosensitizers, whereas isolated
ultraviolet B (280-320 nm) wavelengths induce them via direct
action on DNA, which acts as the primary chromophore.  Natural
solar radiation therefore produces a complex mixture of DNA
lesions, including direct and indirect DNA crosslinks and breaks,
but the impact of these alterations upon the cell is not clear.

Our research has thus far concentrated upon the quantification of
the spectral efficiencies for the immediate yields of these
particular DNA damages in human cells.  Our proposed research
will concentrate mainly upon the capability of cells to repair
these DNA damages.  For this work we will use the specific high-
energy ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, ultraviolet C (less than 290
nm), and visible radiations that are available in our laboratory,
and human cells that are resistant or sensitive to these radiations.
To gain further insight into DNA damage caused by
photosensitized reactions, we also propose to study the yields and
repair of these damages during irradiations in the cellular
environment with experimental added photosensitizing antitumor
compounds such as porphyrins or the coumarin gilvocarcin V,
which are of potential value in photochemotherapy.  Finally, using
isolated DNA fragments, we plan to investigate site specificity
for DNA damage caused by radiation in the presence of
photosensitizing compounds.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172214
- **Project number:** 2R01CA034492-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** ZUE9HKT2CLC9
- **Principal Investigator:** MEYRICK J PEAK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $156,670
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1984-08-01 → 1990-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172214

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172214, SOLAR UV DAMAGE IN HUMAN CELLS (2R01CA034492-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172214. Licensed CC0.

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